Replace A Toilet Seat

Our dad called it the “turlet”. When we were really small our mom called it the “toy toy”. As we got older she referred to it as the “potty”. When we were in the military we were instructed to call it the “head”. Ever since we have referred to it as the “throne”. Occasionally, we reflect and wonder if that has anything to do with the amount of time that we spend in the bathroom.

If your family is anything like ours you surely have experienced a worn out toilet seat two! What we are talking about here is a condition that can be a real problem just before a major dinner party at your home. If you aren’t sure that this is a problem, look in the bathroom to see if the toilet has been covered with a blanket. In a pinch you can always cover the worn spot with a decal of a fish or a bird!! What ever you do don’t use a picture of a snake getting ready to strike!

Of course, the smartest thing to do is to replace the seat. If you own a cabinet shop or a furniture manufacturing plant that is capable of spraying epoxy paints then go ahead and sand and paint your worn toilet seat. On the other hand, if you don’t own either of these types of businesses then you will probably find it less expensive to purchase a replacement.

One of the best things about toilet seats is that there aren’t very many important decisions to be made. If you have a designer toilet all you need to do is tell the counter person at the plumbing store the brand and model of the toilet. Everyone else need only concern themselves with weather their toilet bowl is round or elongated (oval or oblong), and with what color is needed for a perfect match. Better seats are made from molded plastic as opposed lesser quality vinyl or plastic covered wood. The sold plastic ones will cost a bit more, but will last far longer. Also, we think that the plastic bolts are best. Unlike seats that are attached with metal bolts plastic bolts never rust and are ALWAYS easy to remove. In some instances the bolts that hold an old toilet seat have to be removed with a hack saw. The time to think about this problem is when purchasing the toilet originally or when purchasing a new replacement seat.

A CONSIDERATION: If you are considering a new toilet purchase remember that white and almond are the two most common colors of replacement toilet seats.

As simple as it sounds, finding your replacement toilet seat usually is more difficult than the actual task of installing the new seat.

On most seats the tops of the bolts that hold the seat in place are hidden beneath covers in protrusions at the back of the seat hinge assembly. These covers can be easily pried open with a screwdriver. A close inspection will reveal small notches that are designed to accept the tip of a standard screwdriver blade. All you have to do is insert the blade and gently twist. The screw head within is usually quite large and will require the use of the largest screwdriver that you own. The nuts that hold these screws are located on the underside of the rim and are sometimes located in a recess. In cases like this it is wise to use a socket wrench when the nut and bolt are made of metal. This reduces the chance of damaging the toilet that can result when the wrench being used doesn’t properly grip the nut, slips and acting like a hammer cracks the bowl or tank. For plastic all that is needed is a pair of pliers when the connection is more than finger tight.

Once the seat is removed cleaning is in order. Build up around the mounting holes should be scraped away and sanitized. By the way, a clean connection can be a stronger one.

The mounting bolts are quite small as compared to the holes through which they attach. This allows quite a bit of adjustment latitude. Be careful not to place the seat too far to the rear of the holes. In this position the seat is very close to the tank and may not stay up when opened. If this happens loosen the nuts slightly, adjust the seat away from the tank and retighten the nuts. Test to insure that the seat will stay open when opened.

We though you might be interested to know that there is a preponderance of high quality, form fitted toilet seats available. These “body contoured” seats are more comfortable to sit on, allow the task at hand to be performed more easily and they actually look more streamlined. There is even a seat that flushes when it is closed. Wonder what happens if you don’t close it?

Since we spend most of your time there you might well imagine that — for us — comfort is everything!

For more home improvement tips and information search our website or call our listener hot line 24/7 at 1-800-737-2474.

 

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